Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) introduces an exciting overhaul to the support gem system, aiming to give players more customization and flexibility in their build choices. With this change, the developers aim to provide a deeper, more strategic layer to POE 2 Currency character progression, making skill and support gem interactions more impactful than ever before. In this guide, we will explore the new support gem system and its implications for players in PoE 2.

What’s New with the Support Gem System?

In PoE 2, the traditional support gem system, where support gems are slotted into skill gems to enhance or modify their effects, is evolving. The most significant changes focus on increasing the depth of choices for players, allowing for more intricate interactions between gems and making support gems more versatile in combat. Here’s a breakdown of the main features:

1. Gem Modifiers Based on Affinities

Support gems now have affinities that interact with your character’s affinity alignment (such as Fire, Cold, or Lightning). The new system allows for a more dynamic link between skill gems and support gems. This means that if you align your gems based on affinities, you can unlock special modifiers or bonuses, providing additional synergies. For example, using a Fire Affinity support gem with a Fire skill gem will not only amplify the fire damage but could also grant extra fire resistance or ignite chances.

2. Support Gems with Multiple Effects

Previously, support gems only modified skills in a single, predefined way. In PoE 2, support gems can have multiple effects that modify different aspects of a skill. For example, a support gem might both increase the damage output of a skill and add an AoE (Area of Effect) component. This expanded functionality opens up a wealth of new possibilities for hybrid builds, where players can have enhanced damage and utility from a single support gem.

3. Active and Passive Support Gems

A new layer of support gem interaction comes in the form of Active Support Gems and Passive Support Gems. Active support gems can now trigger certain effects or bonuses when you use specific skills, making them ideal for trigger-based builds. Conversely, passive support gems offer buffs or enhancements that are always active as long as the skill is slotted, allowing for a more passive playstyle.

For example, an Active Support Gem may trigger additional fireballs or debuffs on enemies each time you cast a spell, while a Passive Support Gem might provide a damage boost or defensive buff that automatically activates without needing any additional action.

4. Synergy Between Support Gems and Passive Tree

Another major change in PoE 2 is how the Passive Skill Tree interacts with support gems. The tree now has nodes that increase the effectiveness of certain support gems. For instance, some nodes could enhance the duration of support gems, while others could boost gem level bonuses or mana cost reduction for specific types of support gems. These nodes can help players tailor their support gem choices to suit their preferred playstyle.

How This Affects Your Build

The introduction of more versatile and synergistic support gems dramatically changes how players will approach their builds. The flexibility of choosing from active or passive support gems, and combining them based on elemental affinities, opens up new avenues for experimentation. Here’s how you can use the new system to your advantage:

Hybrid Builds: Players now have the freedom to experiment with hybrid skill types, using support gems to enhance both offense and defense simultaneously. For example, a Cold-based attack build can use support gems that boost cold damage, while also applying chill effects to control enemies.

Elemental Synergies: With the affinity system, players can build synergistic elemental combos. Fire skills can benefit from Fire Affinity support gems, while combining them with the new gem effects could allow for elemental damage over time or secondary debuffs like burning or freezing enemies.

Optimizing Skill Effects: With the ability to apply multiple modifiers to a single skill gem, players can significantly alter the playstyle of their builds. For instance, a summoner build could stack support gems that improve minion damage, while also adding AoE and debuffs to weaken enemies.

Conclusion

The new support gem system in PoE 2 offers an exciting layer of complexity to character builds, allowing for deeper customization and stronger synergies. With multiple support gem effects, affinities, and greater integration with the passive skill tree, players now have more ways to tailor their playstyles to specific needs. Whether you’re enhancing your damage output, improving your defense, or controlling enemies, the updated system gives players the tools to maximize their build potential and experiment in new ways.

With the POE 2 Chaos Orbs for sale possibilities opened up by this system, PoE 2 will surely provide players with endless opportunities for creative and powerful character development.